Mysterious Uzbekistan

You fly to Tashkent with a direct flight from Uzbekistan Airways or with a stop via Istanbul, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Arrive in Tashkent late in the evening or midnight / early morning the next day. You are met by your guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stays in Tashkent.

Today we experience the contrasting capital of Uzbekistan, which presents itself in a mixture of Post-Soviet charm and oriental flair. It is astonishing how well modernity and tradition merge in Tashkent. In the old town, we visit the Khasti Imam complex, in which the oldest version of the Koran is kept. On the large square, we visit Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Barak Khan Madrasah and Mausoleum Kaffal Shashi and experience the hustle and bustle at the Chorsu Bazaar, which was already known in the middle Ages and was located at the intersection of the caravan processions of the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon we visit the Museum of Applied Arts. We also take a look at Independence Square, Navoi Theatre Square and the Monument to Earthquake Victims. Then we take an underground journey. At the end of the day, there is dinner and an overnight stay in Tashkent.

After breakfast at the hotel, we take the comfortable train at 08:07 A.M. through the impressive Kamchik pass (2,268 m) to Kokand. You arrive at 12:13 P.M. In Kokand, we visit the magnificent Islamic buildings - the palace of Khudoyar-Khan and the imposing Juma mosque. Then we continue to Rishtan - the home of the artisans who have been hiding the secrets of azure ceramics for over 800 years. Ceramic master Rustam Usmanov in Rishtan tells us how the blue and gold faience that adorns the Islamic sanctuaries is created. You leave to Fergana. Overnight stays in Fergana.

To get to know the city better, we take a city tour through the avenue-like streets in the city of Fergana, visit the German cultural centre. Enjoy through varied landscapes to Margilan. In the silk factory “Yodgorlik” we get to know the production steps of “white gold”. The quality and design of the silk fabrics produced here are valued far beyond the country's borders. In front of the silk factory, there is a great smell of fresh bread, before or after a visit to the silk factory we can go to the bakery. Also really worth seeing is how to make Uzbek traditional bread. Round flatbread is still baked by hand in a large clay oven "Tandir". In the afternoon we drive back to Tashkent by car over the mountain pass. Overnight stays in Tashkent.

After an early breakfast in the hotel we are driven to the airport and fly to Nukus with the morning flight. Arrival and drive to the former fishing village of Muynak (220 km, 3 hours), which is located on the former shores of the Aral Sea. In Muynak we have a view of a former port with abandoned ships on the sand - "ship cemetery". Then we visit the local museum with the art exhibitions of the history of the Aral Sea. You have a lunch with a local family in Muynak. In the afternoon we return to Nukus. On the way, we stop at Mizdakhan archaeological complex. We visit the most important archaeological sites in the region. Overnight stays in Nukus.

Today we are impressed by a cultural treasure in the barren landscape of the desert: The Savitski Museum houses a collection of classic Russian avant-garde art that is unique in the world and one of the largest collections of applied art in Central Asia. Around noon we drive to the Amudarya River. Have picnic lunch by the lake. If you wish, you can also take a short bath break. Enjoy with wonderful hiking in the Tugai forest. Here you can see the Euphrates poplar, which, in contrast to other poplar species, has curved trunks and is easily recognizable by the peculiarity of its somewhat leathery leaves: namely, both long pointed and round leaves grow on the same tree, depending on the age of the tree and the length of the branch. We arrive in the oasis city - Khiva in the late afternoon. The oriental fairy tale city immediately enchants us with its atmosphere! Overnight stays in Khiva.

The breath-taking fairy tale city of Khiva reveals the fascination of the legendary Silk Road. The old town, a UNESCO cultural heritage, was once the residence of idiosyncratic khans and today resembles a lively open-air museum. In the fortress city - Ichan Kala we explore the former residence of the Khan - Kuhna Ark, the unfinished minaret Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, whose wooden beam ceiling is supported by 212 wooden columns decorated with elaborate carvings. Afterwards, the tour continues to the famous 19th-century Tosh Hovli Palace and the Islam Khoja minaret, the symbol of the city. We also visit the Pakhlavon Makhmud mausoleum, the interior of which is considered a masterpiece of Khiva decor art. Today we enjoy our dinner next to the highest minaret Khiva and let us take in the magical impressions of the day. Overnight stays in Khiva.

Today we drive along the Silk Road to the next oasis town of Bukhara, following the traces of the caravans on the Silk Road, which leads us through the Kyzyl-Kum desert and into the desert town of Bukhara, which we reach in the late afternoon. The long drive is worth it. On the way, we see green oases that are irrigated by the Amudarya River. Have your camera ready, because photo stops are planned in unusual, picturesque locations. After arriving in Bukhara, we can already get a first impression on a walk through the historic old town. Overnight stays in Bukhara.

A highlight of your trip! Bukhara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) presents itself today as a unique authentic museum. The mosques, madrasahs and minarets are lined up like narrow pearls in narrow, winding streets, which are mostly traffic-free. The Poikalon complex is considered a showpiece of Islamic architecture. The Kalon minaret, built in the 12th century, which rises like a lighthouse and once served as a guide for caravans, is the symbol of Bukhara. Other highlights include the Ark Citadel (the former residence of the Emir) and the Samanid Mausoleum. The heart of Bukhara is the architectural ensemble of the Lyabi-Hauz; it consists of three large monumental buildings: the Kukeldash Madrasah in the north, the Madrasah Nadir Devan Begi in the west and the Khanaka in the east. The dinner takes place today in an old Jewish house with a Bukharian family. Abdurrahman tells us about the book embroidery.

We continue our tours around Bukhara today. In the house of the merchant Khodjaev, which is today a museum, you can see how wealthy merchants and traders lived in Bukhara one hundred years ago. Then we will visit the summer residence of the last Bukhara Emir - Sitorai Mokhi Khosa which in Persian means «The place where the moon and the stars meet». As it is known, Bukhara is one of the seven holy towns of the Islamic world.

In the afternoon, we leave Bukhara and drive towards the yurt settlement in the Kyzylkum Desert. On the way we will make a brief stop at the ruins of an old Caravansaray and «Sardoba» (water reservoir). Both these sights date from the 11th to the 14th century and bear witness to the many caravansaries which passed through that way on the Silk Road.

Then on to the Nurata Pass where you can see petroglyphs. Arrival towards evening in the yurt settlement. After dinner an Akyn (folksinger) will sing Uzbek songs around the campfire.

Lunch by the lake.

In the afternoon, drive to Samarkand. Samarkand – the pearl of the Orient, over 2750 years old, was considered in the Middle Ages to be one of the most beautiful towns in the world and still today it has lost none of its fascination.

In Samarkand the Tales from One Thousand and One Nights begin again for you. It is one of the oldest towns in the world and was at the same time the hub of the famous Silk Road. In the Afrosiyob Museum, you can get a clear idea of old Samarkand. Then you will visit one of the greatest pilgrimage sites of the Islamic world – the Grave Complex of Saint Daniel and the Shahi Zinda Necropolis - a marvellous collection of different mausoleums decorated in Timur style with majolica and mosaic tiles.

After a break, we will go to a Silk Paper Manufacturer which has been revived by the brothers Mukhtarov. Thanks to them, the production of paper according to Samarkand Technology has come alive again. It is interesting that the entire production is done by hand, and the guests can watch the process of making a silk paper. Then we will visit Ulugbek Observatory, once the greatest research centre in Central Asia. Ulugbek, the grandson of Amir Timur, where you will get introduced with the sextant of the observatory which was only discovered in 1908.

During your tour, you will not fail to be impressed by the palace-like mausoleum of the ruler Amir Timur, the Gur Emir Mausoleum. Today you can enjoy the highlight of your trip – Registan-Square with three impressive, enormous and richly decorated medrasas. Tashkent Street, with its many souvenir shops, leads you to the once largest mosque of Central Asia – the Bibi Khanum Mosque. Timur wanted to demonstrate his unlimited technical and financial capabilities by building the most beautiful mosque of the Eastern world. You are encouraged during your walk through the Bazaar to try raisins, apricots and nuts. Enjoy the colourful hustle and bustle life of the friendly locals.

This theatre shows costumes of the people of Central Asia at different eras – from ancient times to the 19th century – the times of the Massagets, Achemenids, Anachits, Sogdians and Timurids.

Today you will make an excursion to Shakhrisabz – to the birthplace of the great Timur. Drive with private cars over the picturesque mountain pass where you will have a photo-stop to make some shots. You can see the remains of Timur’s summer palace Ak Saray, which took 20 years to build; the Jakhongir Mausoleum for Timur’s eldest son who died in a military campaign. You will also see the Kok Gumbaz Mosque, which is visible from far away with its blue dome and which has unbelievable acoustics.

Return to Samarkand in the afternoon. At 17:00h transfer to the station. Departure at 18:00h on the fast train “Afrosiyob” to Tashkent (300 km). Arrival at 20:10h. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Check out at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. End of the trip.